Chattanooga City Council Meeting Summary - May 20, 2025

Opening and Announcements

Fire Marshal Order: Standing attendees moved to lobby or overflow room; non-essential city staff asked to leave.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Councilman Elliot.
Weather Advisory: No recess due to severe weather; proceeded to voting meeting.

Minutes: Approved without objection.
Ordinances (Final Reading):
- Items A, B, C, E approved as a package (zoning amendments for properties on Cromwell Rd, Brawl St, William St, Right Blvd, and city-wide zoning clarifications).
- Item D (1500 East 14th St rezoning) amended due to language error, returned to first reading with conditions: minimum 20-ft rear setback, 10-ft side setback, 28-ft height limit, no detached units.
No First Reading Items: May 27 meeting canceled for Memorial Day.
Resolutions:
- Economic Development: Interlocal agreement with CARTA for parking lot management.
- Mayor’s Office: Appointments to Community Advisory Committee and Tree Commission.
- Public Works: Funding for USGS gauges ($118,339, city share $17,464).
- Police: Retirement of K9s Anik and Rex; donation of 1999 Ford van to Habitat for Humanity.
Purchases:
- Approved six purchases (fleet, HR, fire, wastewater) totaling ~$1.63M.
- Reported sole-source purchase for smart lighting ($33,400).
Future Considerations: Agenda items proposed for June 10, 2025.

Arts Build: $200M economic impact, supports arts programs (e.g., pottery, therapy).
UTC Center for Regional Economic Research: Data-driven economic research, white papers, business surveys.
Chattanooga Tourism: $1.7B visitor spending in 2024, $1,200 household tax savings.
Chattanooga Zoo: Economic contributions, plans for new animal hospital.
Signal Centers: Serves 10,000 residents, 98% teen pregnancy program graduation rate.
CARTA: Requests funding for positions, federal grants; $7 return per $1 invested.
Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition: Housed 378 households via Housing Forward Fund.
National Medal of Honor Heritage Center: Educational exhibit for students.
Enterprise Center: Digital skills for 1,200 residents, Tech Goes Home program.
Chattanooga Housing Authority: James A. Henry School project, $7.9M funding gap.
Other Nonprofits: La Paz, Food Bank, Girls Inc., etc., emphasized community impact.

Zoning Issues: Speaker criticized delays in residential project due to clerical errors and regulatory changes.
Former Employee: Resigned due to non-collaborative leadership, expressed faith in city’s potential, read poem on community kindness.

Budget: Second education session held; first vote June 3, second June 10.
Legislative: Proposed discussions on urban chickens and single-stair ordinance.

K9 Recognition: Anik present, Rex absent; video showcased their service. Handlers confirmed dogs will live with them post-retirement.
Adjournment: Meeting concluded after public comments.

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